Gloria Deo!: Notes and Discussion

DOCTRINAL NOTES

Because God delights in worship that is biblical, thoughtful and passionate—what we often call intentional—please consider the following overview of the biblical texts and doctrinal themes behind the hymn Gloria Deo!:

One of the great themes of Scripture is God’s glory revealed through His gracious provision of salvation through Christ. The Lord used holy men to prophesy the coming of the Messiah throughout the Old Testament Scriptures, but He heralded the Savior’s arrival on earth through a series of angelic announcements. Those angelic words are the source of this hymn.

Verse 1 considers Gabriel’s announcement to Mary from Luke 1:26-38. Though a young virgin, Mary had conceived a son by the Holy Spirit. Thus, Mary’s human son would also be God’s holy Son. Jesus, the promised Messiah, would fulfill the covenant made with David, ruling from David’s throne over Israel and over all creation. His reign is unending, both in its longevity and extent. Glory to God!

The refrain takes its theme from Luke 2:14′s angelic multitude, which gave “glory to God in the highest” for His great salvation. It explores the marvel-inducing truths that the Creator has stooped to the earth to live among us, coming to the filth of a fallen and wicked planet to save us from the filth of sin. Glory to God!

Verse 2 focuses on the angelic announcement made to humble shepherds, recorded in Luke 2:8-12. What God had promised through the prophets had come to pass: the Savior had been born! This Savior—though both Messiah and Lord—would be found in the most unlikely of circumstances, as a babe swaddled in a lowly manger. Glory to God!

Verse 3 alludes to the angelic word to Joseph in Matthew 1:20-21 and 2:20, focusing on Christ’s mission to save His people from their sins and on the inability of His enemies to hinder His great work. It revels in Christ’s fulfilling of the first gospel promise from Genesis 3:15, being born of woman and crushing Satan’s head. Glory to God!

Verse 4 returns to Luke 2:14, especially focusing on its latter half. The news that brings glory to God also brings grace to mankind. Through Christ, God has brought peace to undeserving yet favored sinners. Despite ourselves, we can be reconciled because of Jesus. Glory to God!

It is our prayer that the joyful text and tune will allow the church to echo and join the angels’ great doxology. Glory to God in the highest—and to Him alone!

(The notes for Gloria Deo! were written by Chris Anderson.)